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Batching it

From Friday morning to Sunday evening, it was just me and the animals. Some welcome down time for me, enjoying a three-day weekend here at home while Lori did the same in San Francisco.

It was a milestone high school reunion for her, a chance to reconnect with friends who’ve literally known her all her life as well as renew or make new acquaintances at the event itself. No husbands or partners invited because this was a gathering of alumnae of an all-girls Catholic school. Which was fine by me.

My own plans for a Saturday night poker game fizzled when I couldn’t raise a quorum. All that meant, though, was an extra block of time to chill. And so I did. Between a quick grocery shopping trip and miscellaneous errands, I found myriad ways to kick back.

Fresh air at Wilshire Park in Northeast Portland.

Friday: Did a long run in Hoyt Arboretum, enjoying the cool morning weather before the afternoon rain arrived. Enjoyed breakfast at the old school Overlook Restaurant. Took Miss Charlotte to a neighborhood park for some exercise. Bought some CDs at Music Millennium, a community treasure still going strong since 1969.

Cooked a big ol’ pot of chili, knowing it would be dinner for two nights. Finished reading a novel I’d started last month.

Saturday: Slept in until 7, two hours later than my weekday routine. Did some laundry (hey, is this weekend bachelor life glamorous, or what?) and other household chores. Hit the gym in late morning. Baked some oatmeal raisin cookies.

Made the most of a two-hour visit with our youngest son, Jordan. He was part of a group of nine students from Saint Martin’s University selected to attend a regional science conference in Vancouver, Washington, on Friday and Saturday, so he was able to come by after it finished.

Easy ‘n’ tasty: oatmeal raisin cookies.

Students from eight Northwest colleges set up their exhibits in a conference room, just like a high school fair, and took questions about their research from anyone who stopped by. Jordan showed me the laminated poster explaining the research he did at Marquette University last summer with a faculty mentor, but for the life of me I cannot even grasp the terminology, let alone explain the basis of the research.

All I know is that he is excelling as a biology major and, with last summer’s experience in Milwaukee as a catalyst, is certain that he’s on a career path that interests and excites him. Much more lies ahead as he pursues his goal of research scientist, but I have no doubt he will be successful. Fills my heart with pride to see him make such a successful transition from Army infantryman to the classroom.

We covered all of this and more during another satisfying meal at TILT, our new go-to for burgers and fries. Caught him up on what his brother and sister are doing, plus Lori’s recent move to a new space for her personal training business. Sent him home with chili and cookies for him and his wife Jamie.

Does the biology governing aggregation and toxicity in Q/N rich and polyQ proteins apply to a-synuclein (a-syn), a non Q/N rich, non polyQ protein? You’ll have to ask Jordan.

Sunday: More household tasks, sandwiched around the Steelers-Raiders game. A late afternoon run in the neighborhood in a light rain. Was feeling pretty good about braving the elements in a light windbreaker. Then a young woman appeared ahead of me in bare sleeves and put me in my place.

Picked up Lori and, over a bowl of leftover chili, began the download of each other’s weekend experiences.